The son of a man found hanged from a bridge above the A316 in North Sheen on Tuesday morning has paid tribute to his "loving and kind" dad.

EARLIER: Dead body found hanging from bridge above A316

John O'Boyle, who was 55, was found by a staircase leading up to the footbridge, near Darell Primary School.

His son, Dean O'Boyle said: "Our dad was a loving, caring and kind father who adored his family - this is what he lived for.

"His four children enjoyed every moment with him and his sense of humour lit up the room, as well as his hilarious laugh.

"We have so many fond memories of him but the one that stands out is his special dance that he did in the dining room, as his dance moves weren't the best.

"It made us laugh.

"We love and will miss him dearly and our lives will never be the same but we will cherish our memories."

Mr O'Boyle is survived by his ex-wife Jackie, as well as two sons and two daughters.

Police were called to the A316 Lower Richmond Road at 6.48am and his death is currently being treated as "unexplained".

Awan Khalid, who runs the Premier newsagent nearby, said Mr O'Boyle lived alone in a flat above his shop and that he was a "very nice chap".

He said: "I last saw him two or three days ago, he came in here to buy stuff and we were joking - he was a very good customer, he always came in here.

"He was Irish, I used to say he was a strong man, he was a very nice fellow.

"I was so sad when I heard, I opened the shop at 6am and didn't see what had happened but the police came in and told me at about 7.30pm.

"He was the sort of man everybody knew."

A woman, who did not wish to be named, said her son goes to the Darell Primary School but they did not see anything.

She said: "No one saw anything - when we came, everything was closed off, there were a lot of ambulances and police around.

"It was quite a shock when we walked past.

"It was lucky he was found so early."

Another woman, who lives in North Sheen, said: "Somebody must have been really desperate to do it here."

The Richmond community used social media to express its shock at the tragic death.

Mikala Shelley wrote on Facebook: "All the school kids and parents saw this, so so sad xx rip xx".

Lisa King said: "So sad, I walk passed [sic] this, this morning and saw the tent and police. My thoughts go out to the family".

Mortlake and Barnes Councillor Paul Avon said: "I'm shocked, it is desperately sad and horrible news."

West London Coroner's Court confirmed Mr O'Boyle's death had been registered on its system but no inquest has been opened yet.

The Calm charity offers help to men of any age who are in crisis or feeling down. Its London helpline number is 0808 802 58 58.


 

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